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Cannon Falls board praises superintendent’s financial stewardship, approves boosters and several personnel actions
Summary
At its regular meeting, the Cannon Falls School District board commended Superintendent Jeff Sampson’s mid‑year performance on staffing, facilities and finances, approved recognition of a new softball booster group and passed multiple personnel resolutions and routine consent items.
The Cannon Falls School District Board of Education on an evening meeting reviewed a mid‑year evaluation of Superintendent Jeff Sampson, approved recognition of the CF Balmer Softball Booster Organization and took multiple personnel actions including a retirement, several non‑renewals and placement of a tenured teacher on unrequested leave because of financial limitations.
Board members opened their summary of the superintendent’s performance goals with staffing numbers and financial context. The board reported teacher seniority by ranges: 5 teachers with 30+ years; 8 teachers with 25–29 years; 9 teachers with 20–24 years; 8 teachers with 15–19 years; 14 teachers with 10–14 years; 17 teachers with 5–9 years; and 19 teachers with 1–4 years, producing an average seniority “just above 13 years,” the board said. The board described Sampson’s work on recruitment and retention as “adequate” given funding constraints.
On facilities, the board noted continued public access to district spaces and the implementation of a fob access system that now controls entrances to the field house, outdoor concessions and restrooms during appropriate hours. The board listed recent community uses of district facilities, including concerts, plays, a Southeast Minnesota legislative breakfast, FFA’s Farmer’s Share breakfast and youth athletics events, as evidence of increased community access.
Finance and budgeting were highlighted as an area where the board said the superintendent “excels.” The board said Sampson joined the district during a financial crisis, led more than $1 million in budget cuts during his tenure and has helped the general fund reach “just above 4%.” The board also said Sampson advocates for school funding at the Legislature and participates in finance seminars with peers.
The board offered two recommendations: that the superintendent demonstrate more empathy in some interactions, and that he establish an office presence in the elementary building one to two days per week prior to the 2025–26 school year to increase visibility and engagement with younger students and staff.
On administrative business the board approved the monthly finance report and the consent agenda, which included acceptance of donations and grant awards. The gifts and grants reported in the consent agenda included: $961 from the Minnesota State High School League (grant award), several individual and foundation gifts (examples noted in board materials included a $2,500 Ed Foundation grant for an Earth Expo for pre‑K–5, $6,000 from the Ed Foundation for an interactive TV for grades 6–12, $1,000 from the Cannon Falls Fire Department Relief Association for an Eagle Bluff trip, and multiple smaller donations and in‑kind items). The board also approved the spring 2024–25 coaching list.
The board recognized and approved the newly formed CF Balmer Softball Booster Organization. Grant Chokwitz and Mike Ayers, two organizers, told the board the booster intends to operate as a 501(c)(3), assist softball programs for grades 7–12 and local softball through CFYA, fund equipment and run fundraisers and camps; longer‑term goals include field improvements such as a press box, relocated dugouts and, eventually, lights.
Personnel actions approved by the board included a retirement and several employment actions the district described as required by statute or financial necessity. The board approved the retirement notice for Michael Gunderson effective at the close of the 2024–25 school year. The board also approved resolutions to non‑renew probationary teaching contracts and to place a tenured teacher on unrequested leave of absence due to financial limitations; those actions were taken under motions and roll‑call votes in open session.
The meeting included a student representative report from Abby, who summarized recent student activities and athletics: the Bomber dance team’s state competition finishes (10th in jazz, 6th in kick), the girls basketball season end, boys basketball playoff seeding, a successful FFA Farmer’s Share breakfast drawing over 300 attendees, wrestling qualifiers for state, and an upcoming robotics competition in Duluth.
The board scheduled its next meeting for March 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the boardroom.
